Bachelor of Arts/Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
109294J
IELTS
No score less than 7 in reading and writing No score less than 8 in listening and speaking
Fees (first year)*
$28728
Start dates
February 2026, July 2026, February 2027, July 2027

Overview

Inspire and positively influence the lives of the young people who enter your classroom with a challenging and rewarding career in secondary education. Become a teacher who is confident, adaptable, and able to design and implement engaging and flexible learning experiences to meet the needs of your students. 

The Bachelor of Arts/Master of Teaching (Secondary) degree provides you with an innovative pathway into becoming a secondary school teacher with two specialist teaching areas. 

By studying this double degree, you will deepen your disciplinary knowledge by completing a Bachelor of Arts alongside an initial teacher education qualification at the postgraduate level. You will have the option of completing your secondary teacher accreditation requirements for:

  • two major teaching areas, or
  • one major and up to two minor teaching areas, or
  • one major and one minor teaching area, together with accreditation to teach religious education in Catholic schools.


Achieve your goals with a scholarship.  

A generous Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship is available to support new undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolling in an initial teacher education (ITE) program to help meet the costs of their study. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here

Get paid to learn with a Victorian Government ITE scholarship. Victorian students enrolling in a secondary school initial teacher education (ITE) program in 2024 or 2025 can apply to help cover the cost of studying. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here

Professional experience

80 days. Year 3: Community engagement, minimum of 35 hours. Year 3: 25 days. Year 4: 25 days, 30 days.

Work placement

All initial teacher education programs must include a defined period of professional experience, where pre-service teachers practise teaching in a school under the direct supervision and guidance of an appropriately qualified teacher. Supervised professional experience is at the heart of all our pre-service teacher education courses and the faculty will find appropriate placements to suit the needs of your course.

This course provides you with 80 days of valuable professional experience through a range of school and community-based placements.


Community engagement

Students will have a choice between two Community Engagement units, namely HUMA330 Community Engagement Placement and HUMA331 Big Ideas: Social Enterprise and Innovation as part of the Bachelor of Arts component of their degrees. HUMA330 provides students with a opportunity to engage in a practical way with the efforts of business, faith groups and not-for-profit agencies to achieve a more just and equitable world by participating in and contributing to this important work through a placement opportunity. HUMA331 provides students with a tangible opportunity to demonstrate moral behaviour and ethical practice by working in a team setting to devise an innovative, cost-effective, real-world solution to a social challenge.  

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for registration as secondary school teachers in government, independent, Catholic, and other faith-based schools.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • secondary school education
  • community centre education
  • private colleges
  • advocacy
  • policy development.


Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Two Majors - Commencing Semester 1

  • Bachelor of Arts Majors Major 1 Unit 1 (100 level unit)10 cp
  • Bachelor of Arts MajorsMajor 2 Unit 1 (100 level unit)10 cp
  • Bachelor of Arts Elective Unit BA Elective10 cp
  • Education Studies UnitsEDES100Understanding Learning and Teaching10 cp
  • Bachelor of Arts Majors Major 1 Unit 2 (100/200 level unit)10 cp
  • Bachelor of Arts MajorsMajor 2 Unit 2 (100/200 level unit)10 cp
  • Bachelor of Arts MajorsMajor 2 Unit 3 (200 level unit)10 cp
  • Education Studies UnitsEDES103Understanding Learners and Their Contexts10 cp
  • ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE110Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic0 cp
  • ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE100LANTITE - Literacy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students

    To register for the ACER LANTITE tests go to https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/ upon successful completion, ACU will add LNTE100 (Lit) LNTE101 (Num) to your transcript.  

    0 cp
  • ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE101LANTITE - Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students

    To register for the ACER LANTITE tests go to https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/ upon successful completion, ACU will add LNTE100 (Lit) LNTE101 (Num) to your transcript.  

    0 cp

One Major and Two Minors - Commencing Semester 1

One Major and Two Minors (Includes Third Teaching Area) - Commencing Semester 1

One Major, One Minor, and Electives - Commencing Semester 1

One Major, One Minor, and Religious Education - Commencing Semester 1

Two Majors - Commencing Semester 2

One Major and Two Minors - Commencing Semester 2

One Major and Two Minors (Includes Third Teaching Area) - Commencing Semester 2

One Major, One Minor, and Elective - Commencing Semester 2

One Major, One Minor, and Religious Education - Commencing Semester 2

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor/Masters - AQF Level 7/9

Exit Points

A student who has successfully completed the following requirements may exit from the course with that qualification. Note that none of these qualifications will lead to teacher registration.

  1. Diploma in Liberal Arts: 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings of the Bachelor of Arts.
  2. Bachelor of Arts: 240 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings of the Bachelor of Arts
  3. Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies: 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings of the Master of Teaching (Secondary).
  4. Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies: 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings of the Master of Teaching (Secondary

Students may be able to exit with two degrees, (Diploma in Liberal Arts or a Bachelor of Arts; and a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies or a Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies), depending on their progress in this degree.

Entry requirements

Applicants must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.

International applicants must meet the English Language Requirements as defined in the Admissions to Coursework Programs Policy.

Demonstrate suitability for teaching as evidenced by completion of the relevant State assessment, which will be provided in the application process. (excluding QLD)

StatePrerequisites
New South Wales

Assumed knowledge: 2 units of English (any) (Band 3), Mathematics (other than Mathematics General 2) for study in Mathematics (Band 3)

Queensland

Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C)

Victoria

Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Prerequisite for study in MathematicsUnits 3 and 4: Mathematical Methods

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

View transparency admission information

International applicants

If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.

Find the equivalent qualification for your country

You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy , including the English Language Proficiency requirements.

See the language requirements

 If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):

 an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)

an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Find out further information on TAC admission

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for international applicants

If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed.

Find out more about English language programs

Find out more about the ACU Foundation Studies program

Find out more about Diploma pathways

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $3591
  • Average first year fee: $28728
  • Estimate total cost: $129276

The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

International applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Information on the application procedure

International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre.

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

Staff Profile

Dr Clint Sheehan

Lecturer in History Curriculum and Education

Dr Clint Sheehan is a Lecturer in History Curriculum and Education in the National School of Education at Australian Catholic University. A qualified secondary History and English teacher, Clint earned his PhD from the University of Newcastle in 2022 with a thesis entitled: Millennial perspectives: A mixed method study of factors influencing Australia final year pre-service and early career history teachers' integration of technology into classroom practice. His current research examines military history, and the role education can play in learning from historical events. His interests include Cold War and Naval History as well as cross discipline work. He is co-authoring an upcoming book, examining command decisions and the influence of classics education on the First Battle of El Alamein.

Dr Chrissy Monteleone

Deputy Head of School of Education NSW/ACT

Dr Chrissy Monteleone is a Senior Lecturer and the Deputy Head of School, Strathfield, in the Faculty of Education and Arts at the Australian Catholic University. Chrissy began her professional career in education in 2001, with a passion to find research based models to cater for student needs. Her school-based experience includes working in Primary Schools and as a Consultant in mathematics education, gifted education, early learning, technology. At ACU, together with a team of ACU academics, Chrissy leads partnerships in NSW and teaches across mathematics education and professional experience units. Chrissy's research focuses on Critical Mathematical Thinking in young students and Initial Teacher Education Professional Experiences and Partnerships between Universities and School Systems. Her published research includes Conceptualising critical mathematical thinking in young students. Other research projects focus on Initial Teacher Education Professional Experiences and Partnerships between Universities and School Systems. 

 

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